Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: dunnitagain on November 30, 2015, 04:17:46 PM

Title: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: dunnitagain on November 30, 2015, 04:17:46 PM

  Hello , New to the Board and Mach4 , several years in Machining . Acquired and Old Fadal 6030 VMC . I'm retrofitting with MACH4 and Vital System DSPMC/IP.
It is working very well . But I need help with Scripts and Macros , to damn old to learn. The Machine has a 23 Tool Changer , Umbrella Style . I need to interface it to the
Control. I would be willing to pay for the development.   Thanks All.

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: DazTheGas on December 02, 2015, 04:13:24 PM

A bit more info would be helpfull.

Daz

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: garyhlucas on December 02, 2015, 05:21:19 PM

I use to the programming for one of those back when they were new!  It was tough loading large tools because the distance from the tool load button to the spindle was just about both arms stretched out straight. Hope you fix that issue.

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: dunnitagain on December 02, 2015, 08:55:40 PM

Hey Daz , can you tell me what info you need and I'll post it up. I'd really appreciate some help with this !
I've contacted MM and poppabear , and they are unable to help right now .
Do I need to use a PLC for this ?
Thanks

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: DazTheGas on December 03, 2015, 03:36:20 AM

as a norm the tool change script will go in the macro folder as m6,

what moves the carousel at moment ie is it set up as an axis
does it need homing to know where it is

pm if its easier

Daz

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: dunnitagain on December 03, 2015, 08:09:25 AM

 Daz , the carousel is driven by a Geneva wheel , the counter is a Hall sensor on the motor that counts the rotation of the motor. One Pulse for 1 tool position .
The motor is just a ac gearmotor with a contactor. The slide moves to the Spindle with a reversible ac gearmotor and belt drive. It has 2 Hall Sensors, one for
extended and one for retracted. The drawbar on the spindle is air actuated , by a solenoid .

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: DazTheGas on December 03, 2015, 09:50:14 AM

Pm`d ya

Daz

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: rhtuttle on December 03, 2015, 11:52:07 AM

It would be helpful if you resolve this to post the results.  It would help all of us in learning the issues , approach and LUA commands that are needed. 

Thanks

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: DazTheGas on December 03, 2015, 12:10:40 PM

That's a good point, let's all join in as a community and build this.

DazTheGas

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: garyhlucas on December 03, 2015, 08:02:58 PM

The Z axis on that machine is used to remove the tool in unison with the drawbar solenoid, by rising off the tool after the carousel grabs it. Then the carousel rotates to the new tool and the z axis drops down on it. So the machine must be homed to properly position the z.  Fadal did this really simple. You always parked the z between the marks on the column before shutting down. Then the machine would rotate the z motor to find the index mark on its encoder. So you will need to do something similar I believe. Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: RDR on December 03, 2015, 09:12:44 PM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V1IMmLDa1Po

This maybe how it works and should help you program it

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: McRoth on March 29, 2024, 10:27:44 AM

I know this is an ancient thread, but I am working on a similar machine, just with a 6 tool umbrella.  Did you get this working?  If so, can you post the code? 
I'm modifying the code that CNC4PC has on their site and have the basics down, I think, but I need to get the umbrella rotation and counting worked out.  Also, it'll need to be homed in the machine homing script, but I don't think that'll be too bad.

Thanks!

Mike

Title: Re: Help with Tool Change Script for Large VMC with Umbrella Style Tool Changer.
Post by: Karlefttinger on April 17, 2024, 08:25:24 AM

I used to do the programming for one of those back when they were new! It was challenging to load large tools because the distance from the tool load button to the spindle was just about the length of both arms stretched out straight. I hope you manage to resolve that issue.